It is often said that it’s hard to fake a computer’s CPU, but if merchants employ deceptive tactics, it can still catch people off guard.
Indeed, someone has fallen victim to this!
According to foreign media reports, a buyer in Romania purchased an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU for 300 euros from an online third-party merchant on OLX. After installing it, he found that the chip didn’t work. He even tried using a voltmeter to measure the connection points on the back of the PCB, but there was no response at all.
Upon hearing about this, Der8auer found it very intriguing, so he bought the chip from the seller and conducted a series of tests, discovering that there were more issues with this chip.
Firstly, from the external packaging, the chip looked quite authentic, as it used the same box as a genuine AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, and the serial number on the box matched the one on the IHS. However, upon closer inspection, several errors were still noticeable.
Starting with the chip itself, several aspects of this CPU differed from the genuine article: first, the label on the CPU had been wiped and was positioned differently; second, the PCB of this CPU was thinner, measuring 0.964 mm in height, whereas the genuine chip was 1.308 mm, meaning there wasn’t enough pressure from the AM5 socket assembly to push this chip into the socket.
The IHS, or integrated heat spreader, was also different, with its eight arms reduced in thickness. Der8auer also noted that the capacitors on the front of the PCB showed no glue residue, which is used as a protective coating, commonly seen in standard Ryzen 7000 and Ryzen 9000 products. Although the layout of the capacitors was the same as the original chip, the lack of protective coating exposed this chip as a fake.
After the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D failed to boot on the AM5 test platform, Der8auer removed the IHS. Once the chip was unveiled, the culprit was revealed: this chip was incomplete. A genuine CPU is equipped with a CCD featuring a single 64MB stacked 3D V-Cache layer and an IOD, but this fake CPU had none of these.
Interestingly, the counterfeit product used a custom CNC milled IHS, increasing the contact area where the CPU CCD and IOD would be located. Genuine 7800X3D CPUs do not use this, as they feature a flat base connected to the chip. If such a design were implemented in a real chip, it could provide better cooling, but unfortunately, it’s just a counterfeit component of a fake product.
This incident serves as a reminder to everyone that unless you are confident in your discerning eye, it’s best to choose a reliable platform or store when purchasing high-tech products, at least one that can offer some form of “buyer’s remorse” protection.
Related:
Disclaimer:
- This channel does not make any representations or warranties regarding the availability, accuracy, timeliness, effectiveness, or completeness of any information posted. It hereby disclaims any liability or consequences arising from the use of the information.
- This channel is non-commercial and non-profit. The re-posted content does not signify endorsement of its views or responsibility for its authenticity. It does not intend to constitute any other guidance. This channel is not liable for any inaccuracies or errors in the re-posted or published information, directly or indirectly.
- Some data, materials, text, images, etc., used in this channel are sourced from the internet, and all reposts are duly credited to their sources. If you discover any work that infringes on your intellectual property rights or personal legal interests, please contact us, and we will promptly modify or remove it.
